Pentatonix Performs Star Wars-Themed Medley at the American Music Awards

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

May the force and Princess Leia be with Kirstie Maldonado…

The 23-year-old half-Mexican, part Spanish-American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members performed a special Star Wars-themed medley at this year’s American Music Awards, complete with a surprise appearance by Han Solo himself.

The a cappella pop group was accompanied by a 65-piece symphony orchestra to sing portions of John Williams‘ epic Star Wars score, which will be ringing in fans’ ears again soon when the franchise’s newest installment, The Force Awakens, comes out in theaters next month.

After AMAs host Jennifer Lopez introduced a new clip from the film, Harrison Ford appeared onstage to remind the audience, many of whom might not know John Williams by name, of his many other famous scores they would certainly recognize, such as from Jaws, E.T. and Indiana Jones.

He then let Pentatonix take it from there, with Maldonado even wearing Princess Leia-esque buns in her hair.

The group’s beatboxer Kevin Olusola recently talked to Rolling Stone about his own Star Wars obsession, saying, “When we’re on tour, I’m planning on re-watching each movie before we go onstage; then I’ll be ready to go for when the newest one comes out next month.”

Pentatonix previously dazzled audiences at this year’s Country Music Awards with their performance of the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira.”

Maldonado & Her Pentatonix Mates Perform the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira” at the CMA Awards

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Kirstie Maldonado has gone country…

The 23-year-old half-Mexican, part Spanish-American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members took the stage at the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday to present the CMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year.

But before revealing the winning group’s name, the a capella group honor a past winner of the award with a special performance of their song.

“As a vocal group ourselves, we wanted to salute a great country group that won this next award back in 1978 and this year entered the Country Music Hall of Fame,” intro’s Pentatonix frontman Scott Hoying, before Pentatonix launched into an a capella version of “Elvira,” the 1981 hit by the Oak Ridge Boys.

Proving Maldonado and her group mates are the real deal, the performance featured on point harmonies, including Avi Kaplan’s perfect bass part.

Audience members bobbed along and gave the group a standing ovation after the short performance.

Maldonado & Her Pentatonix Crew Release “Evolution of Michael Jackson” Video

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Kirstie Maldonado is helping breathe new life to the King of Pop’s musical…

The 22-year-old half-Mexican, part Spanish-American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members have released an impressive medley of Michael Jackson‘s hits to remind fans that they haven’t forgotten about them.

The impressive video by the Grammy-winning a cappella group, who had the best-selling album by a group in 2014, awesome video titled “Evolution of Michael Jackson” follows the group’s normal formula, highlighting some of Jackson’s best known hits, including “ABC” “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” in an intriguing five-part a cappella performance that seamlessly weaves much of his music into one cohesive piece.

Pentatonix won the group’s first-ever Grammy this year in the Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category for their acclaimed “Daft Punk” medley.

Pentatonix previously released “The Evolution of Beyonce” video, which has garnered more than 30 views on YouTube.

Pentatonix recently released a documentary, On My Way Home, and have been in the studio working on their next album, which will be all original music.

Corea Leads the Pack of Latino Winners at the 2015 Grammy Awards

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Chick Corea has added new trophies to his extensive Grammy collection…

The 73-year-old part-Spanish jazz and fusion musician earned two awards at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, raising his total Grammy count to 22.

Corea, who came into the night at the most-nominated Latino artist of the year, won in both of the categories in which he was nominated.

He picked up the award in the Improvised Jazz Solo category for “Fingerprints.” He won for Jazz Instrumental Album for the Chick Corea Trio’s critically acclaimed Trilogy.

But Corea wasn’t the only Latino/a to come away with a coveted gramophone.

Kirstie Maldonado picked up her first-ever Grammy.

The half-Mexican American/part-Spanish artist and her fellow Pentatonix group mates – winners of NBC’s The Sing-Off in 2011 – won in the Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category for their acclaimed  ”Daft Punk” medley.

Christina Aguilera, the Best New Artist winner at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2000, picked up the fifth Grammy of her career. The 34-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer won in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
for her collaboration with A Great Big World on the single “Say Something.”

Other winners include Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Ruben Blades, Calle 13, Vicente Fernandez and Carlos Vives.

Meanwhile, Flaco Jiménez was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 73-year-old accordionist who brought Tex-Mex flavor to the music of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Ry Cooder and others gained mainstream popularity as a member of the crossover bands The Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven. He’s a five-time Grammy Award winner. Distinguished accordion manufacturer Hohnor created the Corona II Flaco Jimenez Signature Model in his honor. He’s the only Latin artist to receive the career Grammy tribute this year.

Here’s a complete look at all the night’s Latino winners:

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
A Great Big World with Christina Aguilera, “Say Something”

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
Pentatonix – “Daft Punk”

Best Improved Jazz Solo
Chick Corea – “Fingerprints”

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Chick Corea Trio – Trilogy

Best Latin Jazz Album
Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – The Offense Of The Drum

Best Latin Pop Album
Ruben Blades, Tangos

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
Vicente Fernández, Mano A Mano – Tangos A La Manera De Vicente Fernández

Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
Calle 13, Multiviral

Best Tropical Latin Album
Carlos Vives, Más + Corazón Profundo

Maldonado’s Pentatonix’s Holiday Album Registers 1 Million in Total Sales

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kirstie Maldonado has one million to celebrate…

The 22-year-old half-Mexican/part-Spanish singer and her Pentatonix band mates’ holiday album That’s Christmas To Me has surpassed 1 million in total sales in the week ending December 21.

With another 203,000 sold, its cumulative total now stands at 1.02 million, landing Pentatonix in special company.

That’s Christmas To Me, released through RCA Records, is only the fourth album to sell a million copies in the U.S. in 2014, following the Frozen soundtrack (3.46 million), Taylor Swift’s 1989 (3.34 million) and Sam Smith’s In the Lonely Hour (1.13 million).

That’s Christmas To Me continues to be the a cappella group’s best selling studio effort, well ahead of PTXmas, which has moved 356,000.

Additionally, That’s Christmas To Me is the first holiday album to sell a million copies in a calendar year since 2011, when both Michael Buble’s Christmas and Justin Bieber’s Under the Mistletoe managed the feat (with 2.45 million and 1.25 million, respectively).

Maldonado’s Pentatonix Makes History on the Billboard Holiday Charts

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kirstie Maldonado is making holiday history while spreading Christmas cheer…

The half-Mexican American/part-Spanish singer and her fellow Pentatonix group members, who earned their first-ever Grammy nomination on Friday, have become the first act to top both of Billboard’s seasonal charts simultaneously.

Pentatonix’s “Mary, Did You Know?” tops the Billboard Holiday 100 chart this week. The Christmas song actually earned top debut honors on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Meanwhile, the group – the winners of NBC’s The Sing-Off – command the Billboard Top Holiday Albums chart for a sixth week with That’s Christmas to Me (227,000 sold, up 129 percent, according to Nielsen Music). It’s led the chart since its November 8 debut.

Additionally, That’s Christmas to Me is the first album by a group to notch as many as six straight weeks at No. 1 on Top Holiday Albums since Hanson‘s Snowed In likewise blanketed the list for six weeks in 1997-98.

“Mary” marks Pentatonix’s second Holiday 100 No. 1: “Little Drummer Boy” topped the Dec. 21, 2013, chart.

Corea Among the Top Latino 2015 Grammy Award Nominees

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no denying Chick Corea is a Grammy darling…

The 73-year-old part-Spanish jazz and fusion musician picked up two nods for the 2015 Grammy Awards, upping his total career nominations to a whopping 63.

Corea, a 20-time winner, is nominated in the Improvised Jazz Solo category for “Fingerprints.” He’s also up for Jazz Instrumental Album for the Chick Corea Trio  critically acclaimed Trilogy.

But Corea isn’t the only double-nominee this year…

David Arthur Garcia will actually compete against himself at next year’s Grammy Awards.

The award-winning Latino songwriter-producer, who won his first Grammy this year as a songwriter for co-writing Mandisa’s massive hit “Overcomer,” has picked up two nominations in the Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song category.

Garcia has earned recognition for co-penning Francesca Battistelli’s “Write Your Story” and Mercy Me’s “Shake.”

Roman Pichon Herrera has picked up two nominations in the same category as well.

The Latino music video producer is nominated in the Music Video category for co-producing Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and Woodkid’s “The Golden Age” featuring Max Richter.

Meanwhile, Kirstie Maldonado has earned the first Grammy nomination of her career.

The half-Mexican American/part-Spanish artist and her fellow Pentatonix group mates – winners of NBC’s The Sing-Off in 2011 – earned the nod in the Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
category for their acclaimed  ”Daft Punk” medley. Among their competition, Pentatonix will face off against Cuban composer and jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez’s “Guantanamera.”

But Maldonado isn’t the only first-time nominee…

Aloe Blacc has picked up the very first Grammy nod of his career in the R&B Album category. The

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter earned the nomination for his impressive album Lift Your Spirit.

Other notable Latino musicians/entertainers earning 2015 Grammy nominations include Christina Aguilera, Ruben Blades, Juanes , Marco Antonio Solís, Jorge Drexler , Ana Tijoux , Pepe Aguilar , Vicente Fernández , Ixya Herrera  , Carlos Vives, Sérgio Mendes  and Louis C.K. 

The Grammys are awarded by the Recording Academy, which is made up of 22,000 members of the music industry including musicians, producers, engineers, record company and radio industry personnel and others.

The awards are determined by the academy’s voting membership of about 13,000.

Winners will be announced on February 8 at the 2015 Grammy Awards ceremony to be held at the Staples Center and broadcast live on CBS.

Here’s a complete look at the categories with Latino nominees:

Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX
“A Sky Full Of Stars,” Coldplay
“Say Something,” A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera
“Bang Bang,” Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
“Dark Horse,” Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J

R&B Album
“Islander,” Bernhoft
“Lift Your Spirit,” Aloe Blacc
“Love, Marriage & Divorce,” Toni Braxton & Babyface
“Black Radio 2,” Robert Glasper Experiment
“Give The People What They Want,” Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Improvised Jazz Solo
“The Eye Of The Hurricane,” Kenny Barron
“Fingerprints,” Chick Corea 
“You & The Night & The Music,” Fred Hersch
“Recorda Me,” Joe Lovano
“Sleeping Giant,” Brad Mehldau

Jazz Instrumental Album
“Landmarks,” Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
“Trilogy,” Chick Corea Trio
“Floating,” Fred Hersch Trio
“Enjoy The View,” Bobby Hutcherson, David Sanborn, Joey DeFrancesco Featuring Billy Hart
“All Rise: A Joyful Elegy For Fats Waller,” Jason Moran

Latin Jazz Album
“The Latin Side Of Joe Henderson,” Conrad Herwig Featuring Joe Lovano
“The Pedrito Martinez Group,” The Pedrito Martinez Group
“The Offense Of The Drum,” Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
“Second Half,” Emilio Solla Y La Inestable De Brooklyn
“New Throned King,” Yosvany Terry

Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

“Write Your Story,” Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia & Ben Glover
“Come As You Are,” Crowder
“Messengers,” Lecrae Featuring For King & Country; Torrance Esmond, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson, Kenneth Chris Mackey, Lecrae Moore, Joseph Prielozny, Joel Smallbone & Luke Smallbone
“Shake,” MercyMe; Nathan Cochran, David Arthur Garcia, Ben Glover, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Soli Olds, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer
“Multiplied,” Needtobreathe; Bear Rinehart & Bo Rinehart

Latin Pop Album
“Tangos,” Rubén Blades
“Elypse,” Camila 
“Raíz,” Lila Downs, Niña Pastori And Soledad
“Loco De Amor,” Juanes 
“Gracias Por Estar Aquí,” Marco Antonio Solís

Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
“Multiviral,” Calle 13 
“Behind The Machine (Detrás De La Máquina),” Chocquibtown
“Bailar En La Cueva,” Jorge Drexler
“Agua Maldita,” Molotov 
“Vengo,” Ana Tijoux

Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
“Lastima Que Sean Ajenas,” Pepe Aguilar
“Mano A Mano – Tangos A La Manera De Vicente Fernández,” Vicente Fernández
“Voz Y Guitarra,” Ixya Herrera
“15 Aniversario,” Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
“Alegría Del Mariachi,” Mariachi Los Arrieros Del Valle

Tropical Latin Album
“50 Aniversario,” El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico
“First Class To Havana,” Aymee Nuviola
“Live,” Palo! 
“El Asunto,” Totó La Momposina 
“Más + Corazón Profundo,” Carlos Vives

World Music Album
“Toumani & Sidiki,” Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté
“Eve,” Angelique Kidjo
“Our World In Song,” Wu Man, Luis Conte & Daniel Ho
“Magic,” Sérgio Mendes 
“Traces Of You,” Anoushka Shankar

Comedy Album
“Mandatory Fun,” “Weird Al” Yankovic
“Obsessed,” Jim Gaffigan
“Oh My God,” Louis C.K. 
“Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time,” Patton Oswalt
“We Are Miracles,” Sarah Silverman

Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
“Beautiful Dreamer,” Pete McGuinness (The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra)
“Daft Punk,” Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado & Kevin Olusola (Pentatonix)
“Get Smart,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“Guantanamera,” Alfredo Rodríguez (Alfredo Rodríguez)
“Moon River,” Chris Walden (Amy Dickson)

Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
“All My Tomorrows,” Jeremy Fox (Jeremy Fox Featuring Kate McGarry)
“Goodnight America,” Vince Mendoza (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
“New York Tendaberry,” Billy Childs (Billy Childs Featuring Renée Fleming & Yo-Yo Ma)
“Party Rockers,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?” Pete McGuinness (The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra)

Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
“All Of Me (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment Remix),” Tijs Michiel Verwest (John Legend)
“Falling Out (Ming Remix),” MING (Crossfingers Featuring Danny Losito)
“Pompeii (Audien Remix),” Audien (Bastille)
“The Rising (Eddie Amador Remix),” Eddie Amador (Five Knives)
“Smile (Kaskade Edit),” Ryan Raddon (Galantis)
“Waves (Robin Schulz Remix),” Robin Schulz (Mr. Probz)

Music Video
“We Exist,” Arcade Fire; David Wilson, video director; Jason Baum, video producer
“Turn Down For What,” DJ Snake & Lil Jon; Daniels, video directors; Judy Craig, Candice Ouaknine, Jonathan Wang & Bryan Younce, video producers
“Chandelier,” Sia; Daniel Askill & Sia, video directors; Jennifer Heath, video producer
“Happy,” Pharrell Williams; We Are From LA, video director; Kathleen Heffernan, Roman Pichon Herrera, Jett Steiger & Cedric Troadec, video producers
“The Golden Age,” Woodkid Featuring Max Richter; Chis Clayton & Yoann Lemoine, video directors; Roman Pichon Herrera, Christine Miller, Susan Porche & Annabel Rosier, video producers

Music Film
“Beyoncé & Jay Z: On The Run Tour,” Beyoncé & Jay Z; Jonas Åkerlund, video director; Svana Gisla, video producer
“Ghost Stories,” Coldplay; Paul Dugdale, video director; Jim Parsons, video producer
“20 Feet From Stardom,” Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer & Judith Hill; Morgan Neville, video director; Gil Friesen & Caitrin Rogers, video producers [Tata Vega]
“Metallica Through The Never,” Metallica (Robert Trujillo); Nimród Antal, video director; Adam Ellison & Charlotte Huggins, video producers
“The Truth About Love Tour: Live From Melbourne,” Pink; Larn Poland, video director; Roger Davies, video producer

Pentatonix’s “Mary, Did You Know?” Earns Top Debut Honors on Billboard Hot 100

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kirstie Maldonado is having a Mary holiday…

The half-Mexican American/part-Spanish artist and her fellow Pentatonix group mates’ latest holiday-themed single “Mary, Did You Know?” has earned top debut honors on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Pentatonix’s interpretation enters the chart at No. 26

Following the song’s video premiere on November 11, “Mary, Did You Know” enters Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart at No. 13 (6 million, up 280 percent).

It also launches on the Digital Songs chart at No. 22 (51,000, up 403 percent).

Written in 1984 (by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene), the holiday ballad makes its first-ever Hot 100 appearance.

Maldonado & Pentatonix’s New Album Earns Top 3 Spot On Billboard’s Albums Chart

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for Kirstie Maldonado…

The half-Mexican American/part-Spanish artist and her fellow Pentatonix group members have registered their highest charting album yet on this week’s Billboard 200 chart.

In addition, the cappella group had its biggest sales week ever as the group’s album That’s Christmas To Me rises 8-3 with 99,000 (up 193 percent from their previous effort).

It’s Pentatonix’s second top five album in 2014, following PTX: Vol. III (EP), which hit No. 5.

Maldonado & Pentatonix Release Music Video for “That’s Christmas to Me.”

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kirstie Maldonado is spreading holiday cheer…

The half-Mexican American/part-Spanish artist and her fellow Pentatonix group mates have released the official music video for their original Christmas song “That’s Christmas to Me.”

Following clips for “White Winter Hymnal,” “Winter Wonderland/Don’t Worry be Happy” and “Mary, Did You Know?” comes the clip for the title track from their upcoming Christmas album, which finds the group — including Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Avi Kaplan and Kevin “K.O.” Olusola — sitting together in a living room, reminiscing about the best times of the holidays.

The most exciting part of the video? It includes what appears to be real-life home-video footage of each member from a merry Christmas morning in their childhoods.

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